RIGHTS >Life-time jail requested in torture case

This file photo shows a group of people protesting the killing of Engin Çeber. DHA photo

A public prosecutor has demanded aggravated life imprisonment for two prison guards charged with inflicting torture on Engin Çeber that resulted in his death in 2008.

The hearing in the case of Çeber’s death was held at Bakırköy’s 14th Court for Serious Crimes yesterday.

The jailed suspects Fuat Karaosmanoğlu, Selahattin Apaydın, Nihat Kızılkaya, and Sami Ergazi and lawyers for all parties were in attendance at the hearing. Çeber’s father, Ali Tekin, and sister, Şerife Çeber, were also present.

Public Prosecutor Erdal Şenol demanded “aggravated life imprisonment” for guards Selahattin Apaydın and Sami Ergazi, who are charged with “aggravated torture,” a prison sentence of between 3 to 12 years for guard Nihat Kızılkaya on the charge of “torture,” and between 6 months and 1 year in prison for Deputy Director Fuat Karaosmanoğlu on a charge of “misconduct.” The prosecutor expressed his opinion that Kızılkaya and Karaosmanoğlu should be released on charges of misconduct at their post, but requested 3 to 12 years in prison for police officers Mehmet Pek, Abdülmuttalip Bozyel, Murat Çise and Yavuz Uzun.

Çeber allegedly died due to torture and maltreatment he suffered at Metris Prison on Oct. 10, 2008.

The victim and three friends were taken into custody after participating in a rally protesting police brutality and violence, at which they read a press statement. His friends, who survived, described in detail the torture they experienced at the Şehit Muhsin Bodur police station and Metris prison.

The forensic medical report said Çeber died as a result of torture. Then-Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin accepted the report’s statement and apologized to the public.